Building Something Valuable
Celebrating the Fourth of July by Sharing American Values
Happy Fourth of July!
This day, more than any other day, reminds me how Winrock’s volunteer programs embody many of the things that make the United States such a great country. Volunteers from all 50 states – representing diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, and academic and work experiences – contribute ingenuity, persistence, generosity, and hard work to make the world a better place. Our volunteers emulate and share American values on each overseas assignment… and I can’t think of a more positive way to demonstrate American patriotism.
As John F. Kennedy stated, “The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor, and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.” Each of our volunteers has experimented, invented, and built something valuable – whether it be a creative solution to a problem, a path to transformative information, a new technology to lessen the burden of laborious work, or newfound understanding between two cultures. Over the last 27 years, these efforts have improved the lives of millions of individuals in developing countries and strengthened connections between the US and our neighbors around the world.
Winrock’s volunteer programs team is immensely proud and grateful to be a part of these collective efforts.
The smiles in these photos say it all…
Volunteer, Onesimus Otieno, with the faculty of the Center for Entrepreneurship Development and Vocational Studies, Federal Polytechnic of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
Volunteer, Neelam Canto-lugo, having fun and dancing with a student in Bangladesh
The women of The African Women Entrepreneurship Program, Abuja, Nigeria
Farmer-to-Farmer/Myanmar’s Project Management and Communication Specialist, Thet Khaing (left) at a F2F field event with avocado farmers
Volunteer, Kris Fricke, pauses to take a selfie during his training on beekeeping as a business
Volunteer Aaron Cohen teaching a lesson on grant proposal writing at Enugu State College of Agriculture, Nigeria
Volunteer, Dr. Carlos, receiving locally produced coffee from a coffee grower in Nepal
Volunteer, William Zimmerman, and the Farm Director of Agriculture and Forestry celebrating National Rice Day in Nepal